It’s been a full quarter-century since the Los Angeles Sparks clinched their very first WNBA title, a moment of pure triumph that landed just 10 days before the devastating 9/11 attacks. Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions. This Friday, September 11, marks 25 years since that horrific day when four hijacked planes destroyed the Twin Towers, attacked the Pentagon, and crashed in Shanksville, PA, after brave passengers fought back. Over 3,000 lives were lost, and the ripple effect still hits hard for those who lived through it, including former Sparks forward DeLisha Milton-Jones.
That First Championship Run Was Absolute Fire
Before the world changed forever, the Sparks were on an absolute tear, making history with their inaugural WNBA championship. Coached by former Laker Michael Cooper, this squad was loaded with talent: Lisa Leslie, Mwadi Mabika, Tamecka Dixon, Latasha Byears, Ukari Figg, and, of course, DeLisha Milton-Jones herself. They kicked off their playoff run by dethroning the four-time reigning champion Houston Comets with a swift 2-0 sweep. Then, they took down the Sacramento Monarchs 2-1 in the Western Conference Finals, battling their way to the big stage. The WNBA Finals saw them dominate the Charlotte Sting with another 2-0 sweep, earning that coveted first title. Milton-Jones was a beast in that championship series, dropping 17.0 points, pulling down 8.0 rebounds, and dishing out 4.0 assists per game. Can you imagine that high?
From Pure Joy to Unimaginable Loss: The World Shifted on Her Birthday
That 10-day period after winning the championship must’ve been pure euphoria for the Sparks. But then, on September 11, the unthinkable happened, and what makes it even crazier? It was DeLisha Milton-Jones’ 27th birthday. That’s a memory you can’t shake. In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, sports became this incredible refuge, a place for community and resilience like never before or since. The very next year, the Sparks proved that resilience wasn’t just talk, winning their second consecutive title. Who can forget Nikki Teasley hitting that iconic 3-pointer at the buzzer in Game 2 of the Finals against the New York Liberty?
Her Legacy Still Inspires Today
That lesson, the power of sports to unite people and offer hope, is something Milton-Jones carries into her coaching career today. She’s now in her ninth season as head coach at Old Dominion. And get this: in July, the Sparks retired her No. 8 jersey! That’s huge. She joined legends Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, and Penny Toler as the only Sparks players to receive that honor. Milton-Jones played in the WNBA from 1999 to 2015, suiting up for the Sparks, Liberty, Washington Mystics, San Antonio Silver Stars, and Atlanta Dream. When she looks back on that first title and 9/11, she says, “I cannot. That is mind-blowing to think that it’s been that long, but certain parts of the memory still feel like yesterday, even though a lot of time has passed.” Her words really hit you, don’t they? It’s a reminder of how sports and life can intertwine, creating moments of both triumph and profound reflection that stand the test of time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
Leave a Reply